Automated re-layout with dimensional associativity

摘要

A method is disclosed for automated re-layout of two-dimensional drawings from a solid model. The solid model can be revised to incorporate design changes, for example. The re-layout process (110, 112) is invoked to automatically generate revised two-dimensional drawings which exactly duplicate an original set of two-dimensional drawings, except that geometry modified in the solid model will be automatically modified in the re-layout drawings. Dimensional data from the original set of drawings associated with unchanged geometry will be automatically associated with and added to the re-layout drawings. The invention permits the solid model to remain the master throughout the design process, while reliably carrying through design changes to the two-dimensional drawings. The user is not required to manually re-enter unchanged dimensional data from one drawing to the next revision.